Elizabeth stood in the grand, glittering mansion, the soft clink of champagne glasses and murmurs of idle conversation filling the air.

The room was packed with elegantly dressed men and women, their smiles polished and practiced, their laughter hollow. The falseness of it all made her stomach churn. These people, with their perfect appearances and shallow words, were everything she despised.

Her father, Richard, fit in like a puzzle piece, always confident, always at ease. She glanced at him, wondering how they could be so different.

Elizabeth’s mind drifted to her childhood, days spent running barefoot in the garden, laughing with the gardener’s son instead of wearing gowns and pearls. She sighed heavily. Just then, Richard approached, a man beside him.

“Elizabeth, darling,” Richard said, stepping closer with a smile. “I brought you some company. You looked bored.” He motioned to the man beside him, who stood tall and well-dressed.

Elizabeth forced a polite smile and extended her hand. “Hello,” she said, expecting a handshake. Instead, the man took her hand and kissed it. Elizabeth felt her stomach twist and pulled her hand back quickly, hiding her irritation.

“This is Tom,” Richard said proudly. “He owns a large company. I think you two would make a great couple.”

Elizabeth blinked, unsure if she heard right. “What?” she asked, looking from Tom to her father.

Richard ignored her confusion. “Excuse us,” he said to Tom, guiding Elizabeth a few steps away. His voice lowered, but his words were sharp. “I’ve told you already. You need to marry if you want your inheritance. I’m not getting any younger. I want grandchildren.”

Elizabeth stared at him, her heart racing. “Marriage? I’m only 23! And he’s what, 40?”

Richard sighed, keeping his calm. “Don’t make a scene. Tom is a good man. He’s only 36.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “A good man? His company got sued for dumping chemicals into the air!”

Richard shrugged, unconcerned. “Nobody’s perfect.”

Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “I’d rather marry the first man I meet than anyone you pick.”

Richard smirked. “I’d like to see that.”

“Then watch!” Elizabeth snapped, spinning on her heel and rushing outside, her father close behind.

Elizabeth ran through the estate gates, her heart racing as the cool night air brushed against her face. Behind her, she could still hear her father’s steady footsteps, never far behind.

She didn’t know where she was going, but she couldn’t stay there. As she hurried down the road, a figure appeared—a young man, about her age. His clothes were worn, his shoes scuffed from hard work, and his hands rough and calloused.

Of course, this was her luck—the first man she’d run into after her wild declaration. “Great,” Elizabeth thought. “Father’s going to love this.” She glanced over her shoulder and saw Richard standing there, his arms crossed, a smug smile on his face.

Without thinking, she walked straight up to the man and grabbed his arm. “Just play along,” she whispered, pulling him closer as if they were together.

“What are you doing?” the man asked, his brow furrowed as he looked at Elizabeth, clearly confused.

Elizabeth tightened her grip on his arm and whispered, “No time to explain. I’ll tell you everything later.” She turned to face her father, her voice loud enough for him to hear. “Well, Father, meet my future husband…” She hesitated, suddenly realizing she didn’t know the man’s name.

“Scott,” the man said quickly, still unsure of what was happening but playing along.

“…Scott,” Elizabeth echoed, trying to sound confident.

Richard walked toward them, a smirk on his face. “Congratulations to the happy couple,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He leaned in closer to Elizabeth and whispered, “You won’t last two days with this mess,” before turning and strolling back toward the mansion.

Elizabeth watched her father walk away, finally letting out a long breath. She turned to Scott, feeling the weight of what she’d just done.

“Please tell me you’re not homeless,” she said, her voice almost a plea.

Scott raised an eyebrow. “No, I’m not homeless. I’m a gardener. But what was all that about?”

Elizabeth sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Thank God. It’s a long story.” She looked around, suddenly wanting to sit and process. “Is there somewhere we can sit?”

Scott nodded. “There’s a bar down the road.”

“Perfect,” Elizabeth said, kicking off her heels to walk more comfortably.

They walked in silence, reaching the bar a few minutes later. Inside, they found a quiet table in the corner and sat down.

Scott leaned forward, clearly still confused. “Alright, care to explain now?”

Elizabeth glanced at him, then started. “My father won’t give me my inheritance until I’m married. He’s been introducing me to all these men for months. The youngest one was still ten years older than me.”

Scott chuckled. “Does your father know this isn’t the Middle Ages?”

For the first time that evening, Elizabeth smiled. “I don’t think anyone’s told him. But with that money, I can finally do what I’ve always wanted.”

Scott raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

“Restoring historical buildings,” Elizabeth said, her eyes brightening a little.

“That sounds like a worthy goal,” Scott said. “But where do I fit into this?”

Elizabeth looked straight at him. “I need you to marry me.”

Scott blinked in surprise. “What?”

“I told my father I’d marry the first man I saw. That’s you,” she said. “And thank heavens, you’re not homeless.”

Scott paused. “I might be soon.”

Elizabeth’s face fell. “So you need money? I’ll pay you whatever you want once my father releases my inheritance.”

Scott nodded. “Yeah, but I’m not for sale.”

“Damn!” Elizabeth muttered, burying her face in her hands. “I don’t know what to do anymore.”

After a moment of silence, Elizabeth studied Scott’s face. There was something familiar about him—his eyes, his smile. She squinted, trying to place him. “I know you, don’t I?” she asked, feeling certain now.

Scott grinned. “Didn’t think a princess would remember me that fast.”

Elizabeth frowned, still unsure. “I can’t figure out where I know you from.”

Scott leaned back in his chair. “I’m the gardener’s son. I used to work for your father.”

Her eyes widened in recognition. “That’s it!” she said, her voice brightening. “I remember now.” She paused for a moment, then asked, “What would it take for you to agree to my plan?”

Scott’s expression grew serious. “My father’s in debt. They’re going to take our house if we don’t pay. I need the money, but I don’t want to sell myself. But maybe, I don’t have any other options.”

Elizabeth gave him a soft smile. “Think of it as helping an old friend,” she said, extending her hand.

Scott hesitated, then took her hand and shook it. “Deal,” he said.

In the days leading up to the wedding, Elizabeth and Scott were together constantly. She took him shopping, buying him new clothes to fit his new role, and even insisted on a visit to the salon for a proper haircut.

Scott, a bit uncomfortable with all the attention, would smile and tell her about the plants and flowers he loved so much.

He explained how each flower had its own needs, like the way roses needed careful pruning or how sunflowers always turned toward the light.

As their wedding day approached, Elizabeth felt a growing weight in her chest. The more time she spent with Scott, the harder it became to go through with their plan.

She couldn’t deny it anymore—she was falling in love with him. What had started as a scheme to escape her father was now something much more complicated.

The night before the wedding, Elizabeth couldn’t take it any longer. She had to tell Scott the truth. Maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way. Maybe they could marry for love instead of for her father’s money. With that hope, Elizabeth went to his house.

When she arrived, the door was slightly open. She hesitated before peeking inside—and there, to her shock, was her father talking to Scott.

“I’ll give you $250 thousand if you call off this wedding,” Richard said, his voice firm as he handed Scott a thick envelope. “I don’t want my daughter marrying a simple gardener,” he added, disdain clear in his tone.

Elizabeth, hidden outside the door, felt her heart race. She wanted Scott to reject the offer, to throw the money back in Richard’s face and defend their plan. But, to her shock, Scott took the envelope without a word.

She couldn’t watch any longer. The hurt was too much. Elizabeth quietly closed the door and ran, her heels clicking on the old wooden steps. One of the steps gave way beneath her, but she didn’t stop, quickly pulling her leg free and continuing down the road.

“Elizabeth!” Scott’s voice called out behind her. She kept running, tears blurring her vision, but he was faster. Soon, he grabbed her arm, gently pulling her to a stop.

“Elizabeth,” Scott said softly, his face full of concern as he looked at her tear-streaked cheeks.

She yanked her arm back, anger mixing with her hurt. “I can’t believe you. You took the money. You betrayed me!” Her voice shook with bitterness. “Turns out you do have a price.”

Scott frowned, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the envelope. “This isn’t for me,” he said, holding it out to her. “It’s for you.”

Elizabeth stared at him, confused. “What? And your father’s debts? You were going to sell yourself for them, right?”

Scott shook his head. “We don’t have to pay for what our parents did. I’ll figure something out. But I don’t want you to marry me just because you promised your father. You should marry the man you love.”

“Then you’ll have to marry me,” Elizabeth said, her voice soft but determined.

“What? No, I’m giving you the money,” Scott insisted, offering the envelope again.

“No, Scott. If I’m going to marry for love, then it has to be you. With or without the money.”

Scott looked at her, stunned. For a few moments, he didn’t move, just staring into her eyes, trying to make sense of what she’d said. Then, without a word, he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. His lips met hers in a kiss, soft and full of emotion.

Elizabeth felt her heart soar. She had said the words that had been building inside her, and now everything seemed clear.

“So, is that a yes?” Elizabeth asked breathlessly.

Scott grinned, brushing a lock of hair from her face. “Yes,” he said simply, before leaning in and kissing her again, sealing their promise.